Geneva, 11 August 2014 – Travellers are invited to join the Grand Voyage of MSC Magnifica when she departs from the port of Hamburg, Germany, on 8 November 2014 for the faraway shores of Buenos Aires in Argentina on a 20-night cruise. A journey that will enchant MSC guests, with an onboard programme teeming with entertainment, delicious cuisine and exciting cultural features.
Upon leaving Germany, guests onboard MSC Magnifica will benefit from 12 relaxing days at sea as well as calls in eight diverse destinations. The ship will call in at Le Havre, in France, and Southampton, in the UK, gateways to Paris and London respectively. Her next port of call will be Lisbon, the beautiful capital city of Portugal, where travellers will be able to explore the much-loved streets of the city.
MSC Magnifica will then set sail for the Canary Islands, and Santa Cruz de Tenerife in particular before heading towards Brazil where she will call at Recife, Salvador de Bahia and Rio de Janeiro. Her final destination will be the harbour on the River Plate and Argentinean capital, Buenos Aires.
This Grand Voyage will also offer a unique opportunity to put on your running shoes and take part in the very first Tenerife Marathon on 16 November 2014, when MSC Magnifica calls in Santa Cruz de Tenerife. Three options are available at varying levels of difficulty. The 8 km course offers an urban route and a perfect opportunity to see the city on the move, with the departure of the race just a stone's throw from the ship. The second option is the half marathon, a 21km course around the town of Santa Cruz de Tenerife and along the coastal road overlooking the ocean. For the truly dedicated runners among MSC Magnifica guests is the full marathon, a 42km route that starts at the harbour of Santa Cruz, then cuts through the city centre before heading towards the coastal road. Application limit for participating is 25 October 2014.
And for those who choose not to run, Santa Cruz, which sits at the crossroads between Europe and Africa offers bustling markets, vibrant culture, mouthwatering seafood and breathtaking landscapes. A full programme of excursions will be available on the day, so that runners and non-runners alike can make the most of the island's highlights, including day trips marked by great shopping and beach opportunities in buzzing tourist towns, and memorable encounters with nature at its best.
As the ship gently makes its way between its various enchanting ports of call, a very entertaining enrichment programme will be available to MSC guests. Lectures about the ports of destinations and related themes – Canary Islands, Rio de Janeiro, Salvador de Bahia, the great navigators in history, etc. – various arts and crafts workshops, light-hearted games and different classes (tai chi, dance, etc.). Our MSC chefs will also make guests' mouths water with the finger-licking food served 20 hours a day on the ship, including a wide range of local delicacies according to the ports of call.
Following the race, MSC Magnifica will sail to the lush shores of South America, and Brazil. After a few days at sea, during which tired runners will be able to rest and recuperate , MSC travellers will discover the captivating landscapes and warm cultures of Brazil, from palm-fringed beaches, tropical islands and forests, to captivating metropolises with colourful neighbourhoods in one of the world's most fascinating regions.
The final destination of the ship, Argentina, will be reached on 28 November, after 20 days at sea. Travellers will bask in the springtime warmth of Buenos Aires , birthplace of the Tango. Relish the sights of La Boca and San Telmo and savour the delicious fresh produce that defines Argentinean cuisine in the Palermo neighbourhood whilst taking in the bustling energy of the city.
An MSC Grand Voyage is truly a journey of a lifetime, where you can discover the world and amazing destinations from the comfort of an MSC Cruises ship, and in the knowledge that you will be looked after with the greatest of Mediterranean care.